Gregory Soto
After being traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Phillies this past offseason, Gregory Soto was looking to become a solid contributor for the ballclub as he was finally pitching for a contending team.
No one doubted his stuff because he had found success even with the underachieving Tigers the past couple of seasons as their closer. In the past two years, Soto maintained an ERA below 3.40 in each of those seasons while converting a total of 48 saves over that stretch.
However, despite utilizing the same two-pitch arsenal that he possessed from before and bringing it into a National League setting, Soto failed to prosper with the Phillies. Perhaps it was due to some bad luck because he was actually ranked in the upper echelon of the league across many advanced statistical categories.
However, in 2023, Soto has compiled a 3-4 record with a gaudy 4.62 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP, giving up 31 earned runs, including six home runs in 60 1/3 innings pitched. At a few points during the season, he even saw his ERA balloon above five.
Similar to Domínguez, Soto will be looking to use the current playoffs to make amends for his regular season play. However, he has been off to a so-so start so far, giving up an earned run on two hits in one inning of work against the Miami Marlins. His struggles occurred despite coming into the game with the Phillies up comfortably 7-0.
Hopefully, he'll find his groove in time to help the team make it all the way back to the World Series.